Footnote: Data are displayed for geographies with at least 10,000 people based on 2013 population estimates. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. N/A means that data are not available. Some regions listed are Census Designated Places (CDPs), such as East Los Angeles; CDPs are communities within the unincorporated part of a county.

Child population trends help project potential needs for education, child care, health care, and other services for children (1). Nationwide, the child population is projected to grow from its current 73.6 million to about 76.3 million in 2030 (1). Trends also show that by 2050, the U.S. child population will have roughly equal percentages of Hispanic/Latino and White children/youth (1). In California, Hispanic/Latinos already are the largest racial/ethnic group in the child population, accounting for 51% of children under 18 (2). Understanding the demographic composition of the child population provides important insight into the needs of children today and can guide investments that will best support American youth in the future.

For more information about demographics, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.

While the total number of children in California increased between 1995 and 2004, the numbers have declined since then. The birth rate per 1,000 women ages 15-44 also has declined in recent years, echoing national trends. Since 2000, the percentage of births to unmarried women in California and the U.S. has risen. In recent years however, the percentage of births to unmarried women in California has leveled off at about 40%. Children under age 18 comprise about a quarter of the state's population (24%); this has decreased from 28% in 1995. One-fourth (26%) of California's 9.1 million children live in Los Angeles County. San Diego and Orange counties have the next largest child populations.

Hispanic/Latino children make up the largest racial/ethnic group among the state’s child population; 51% of California children are Hispanic/Latino (up from 41% in 1995), and 27% are White (down from 40% in 1995). About 11% of California children are Asian/Asian American, 5% are African American/Black, almost 5% are multiracial, and less than 1% are American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

Since 2000, the racial/ethnic makeup of the public school population in California has changed. Consistent with child population trends at the state level, African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and White student representation has been declining, while Hispanic/Latino student representation has been steadily increasing. Between 2000 and 2015, Filipino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Asian/Asian American student representation remained relatively steady.